CDC Leaders Resign, Hundreds Protest Atlanta HQ Over Vaccine Policy

In August 2025, a wave of resignations and protests disrupted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was removed for her refusal to align with new vaccine policies pushed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Drs. Deb Houry, Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan, and Jennifer Layden resigned in protest, citing political interference with scientific integrity. Hundreds of CDC workers and supporters gathered outside the agency's Atlanta headquarters to applaud and support the departing officials, expressing concern over the future of public health and vaccine guidance. The interim director, Jim O’Neill, appointed by Kennedy, is controversial due to his lack of medical background and promotion of unproven COVID-19 treatments. The resignations and protests have sparked debate, with critics pointing to the dangers of the COVID vaccines and the decision to defund mRNA vaccine programs, while supporters emphasize the need for science-based public health leadership free from political influence. The turmoil at the CDC reflects a deep division over vaccine policies and the agency’s role under the current administration.